When people think of fast food, in most cases, they will imagine a perfect combination of tasty meat, cheese, vegetables, and sauces – and burgers and pizza both have them all. That led some to wonder are burgers pizza or a dish of its own.
No, burgers are not pizza. Although some ingredients may overlap, burgers and pizzas are two completely different types of meals. However, there is such a dish as a pizza burger, which can bring joy to everyone who wants to combine the taste of both.
Find out what exactly makes these dishes so different from one another, but also how you can easily create their perfect combination.
No, a Burger Is Not a Pizza – It Has Different Ingredients, Nutrients, and Recipes
Although both of these meals are considered some of the most loved fast food dishes all around the globe, pizzas and burgers don’t have that much in common. A pizza consists of flat, round dough with different toppings (usually a tomato sauce, cheese, vegetables, and the like). On the other hand, a hamburger is basically a hot sandwich made from cooked ground meat between two bread buns, combined with vegetables, sauces, and condiments of your choice.
As with every other dish, burgers and pizzas have many variations, depending on which ingredients you use. Typical burgers use ground beef as the base, but there are also chicken or even veggie burgers that stray away from the traditional recipes. At the same time, although ground beef can be one of the chosen toppings for the pizza, the round dough is an ingredient that distinguishes the dish. Dough, crust, and toppings all play a role in determining a pizza type (Napoletana, New York-style pizza, Chicago pizza, and so on).
Proportions of various nutrients are also different when it comes to burgers and pizzas. Take a look at the comparison in the table below:
| Nutrient | Pizza (pepperoni, one slice) | Cheeseburger |
| Protein | 11.5g | 13.9g |
| Saturated fats | 5g | 4.8g |
| Calcium | 0.14g | 0.23g |
| Sodium | 0.66g | 0.5g |
| Carbohydrates (in total) | 29.3g | 23.8 |
| Sugars | 3g | 4.8g |
| Cholesterol | 0.24g | 0.37g |
| Total calories | 286 Kcal | 261 Kcal |
These Meals Don’t Share the Same Origin, Either
The name burger is, actually, an abbreviation of the word hamburger. People often think the dish itself originated in Hamburg, Germany, but there isn’t much proof of that. Many connoisseurs point out that Hamburg steak has served as an inspiration for this meal, but that hamburgers, as we know them today, are created in America.
Contrary to hamburgers, the birthplace of pizza is well-known. You must live under the rock not to know that modern pizza is originally an Italian dish. However, this meal gained vast popularity around the world after Italian immigrants brought it to the American grounds.
There Are Both Pros and Cons to These Delicious Bites
It doesn’t matter if you see yourself as a pizza or burger person – both of these dishes have good and bad sides. For example, you don’t have to know how to cook or bake to prepare a perfectly tasty burger. They are easy to make, delicious in any form, and are bound to fill even the hungriest of stomachs. On the other hand, you must know how the dough is made to make a pizza.
At the same time, burgers are considered healthier options, as you can see from the previous table. Keep in mind that pizza slices contain more carbs, sodium, and saturated fats, alongside a larger number of calories.
Of course, if you opt to order burgers or pizza from fast food restaurants, you don’t have to know the ins and outs of making them. And guess what? When it comes to family gatherings, house parties, or simple hangouts, pizza is always the best choice.
However created, burgers can never top the simple practicality a pizza provides. People can get how many slices they want, eat it easily even on the go, and combine different flavors at the same time, all of which is impossible with burgers. Also, while veggie burgers usually appeal only to vegetarians, veggie pizza has fans among meat lovers, too.
Don’t Want to Choose? Follow This Easy Pizza Burgers Recipe and Make Your Taste Buds Sing
If you just cannot decide between these two, don’t worry – I’ve been there. My indecisiveness led me to search for a way to combine all the best parts of these tasteful meals. And a way was found in the form of pizza burgers. Although they are not something you can easily purchase in any fast food joint, you can prepare them quickly and easily.
All you need to do is:
- Mix a pound of ground beef with two garlic cloves, one tbsp of Worcestershire and two tbsp of pizza sauce, one tbsp of Italian seasoning, five drops of tabasco sauce, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare four patties and grill them on each side for 3-4 minutes,
- When patties are done, place a slice of mozzarella cheese on top of one side and a few pieces of pepperoni.
- Use a pot lid – place it over the pattie while still in the pan so that the cheese can melt completely.
- Toast the buns and cover one of each pair with pizza sauce.
- Place the patty inside and enjoy the flavorful meal!
A Pizza Burger Recipe That Will Help You Make a More Pizza-Like Dish
The recipe shown above is the usual one for making pizza burgers, and, as you can see, it leans more towards burgers than a pizza. If you prefer just the opposite, check how open-faced pizza burgers are made:
- Cook a pound of ground beef with ¼ cup of chopped onion until meat crumbles are made and the color is changed.
- Drain the mix and add fifteen ounces of pizza sauce, one can of drained mushrooms (around 4 ounces), one tbsp of sugar, and ½ tbsp of dried oregano.
- Place the mix on top of toasted buns and sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the meat
- Broil until cheese is fully melted, and voila! Bon appetit!
Let’s Put an End to the Question: Are Burgers Pizza
To conclude – pizza and burgers are two completely separate meals. Sure, they share some ingredients and both are delicious. However, that is where their similarity ends. On the other hand, nothing stops you from enjoying a dish that combines both flavors. Don’t hesitate to try the best pizza burgers recipes, and this dish will surely become one of your favorite meals.